Hack, thermostat



C. W. HACK.

THERMOSTAT.

APPLICATION HLED NOV 1. 19H.

Patented June 10, 1919.

ATTORNEY INVENTOR MRI- CHARLEsW-HACK, QFLNEW YoRK, N. Y.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented June 10, 1919.

origlnal applicartion filed April 28, ISIQJ-Ser-iaI-Wo. 165,072. 'EDivlded andthis application flledNovember 1,

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, Currants V. HACK, a citizen of-the U'nitedStates, :Tnda resident of New York, the count-y of New York and State of New York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Thermostats, of which the 'foilowing is a specification.

The invention relates to im provemcntsin thermostats, and. particularly 'toithermostasts for use in fire alarm'systems and the l ike. This application is a division-of my prior application, Ser. No. 'l65072yfiled April 28, 1917.

The main object-0f the invention is toprovide a thermostatwhich is not only simple and e'liicient in operation and construction, but one which is unlikely -to get out of order and in which failure of operation 'is extremely unlikely to occur.

Further and more specifie'obj ects,- ifeatu res and advantages will moreclearly appear from the detailed description given below. taken in connection with the accompanying sheet of drawings. which forms a part of this specification and which illustrates an embodiment of my improvements in one form.

In the drawing.

Figure 1 illustrates a system employing a thermostat, embodying the invention in one form, certain parts of the system being shown diagrammatically.

Fig. 2 is a perspective of the relay drop, certain parts being brokena way in order to more clearly i-llus't ate thesame;

Fig. 3 is a vertical section of-the thermostat;

Fig. 4 is a front view of the'therniostat;

Fig.6 is a top view-of the thermostat with the cap removed;

Fig. (3 is a top view of the thermostat with the cap thereon and showing part ofthe means for securing 'the thermostat in place;

F ig. 7 is a detail, illustratinga modification in the thermostat.

Referring to the various figures, 1 represents an air expansion chamber member. consisting primarily of the two parts secured together to form a hollowair cham- Sef-lal No.3l991834.

her, and 2 represents the body part of the thermostat. Chamber 1 carries screwthreaded 'extension or part 3. which is scrcw threaded through a bushing 4. extending through the bodyr2, but insulated therefrom by an insulating bushing 5. "Stretched over thetop of the body portion 2 isadiaphragn'i (5, which normally rests in contact avith the top of "the screw-threaded spindle '3, as shown in Fig. The part 3 is provided with a duct 4, leading from thc=airchamber l 'to the point at which the spindle 3 contacts with: the diaphragm G. 7 represents a frame piece extending over the top-01 the diaphragm 'G andaarry-ing a block of insu la ting .inaterial *8, through which extends a contact screw =9, adapted to make contact with the diaphragm (3 whenthc :lattcr is raised by expansion of air in the chamber and iirthc air space beneath the diaphragm (i. A cup H) is provided for covering the pa'1'ts.'as shown in Fig. 3, this cap being socured to the body portion 2 by screw 11. Secured to this cap is .a strip of insulating nuiterial 12,carrying three binding posts 13. M and 15. A fusible conductor 16 leads from binding post 15 to the bushing 4 and is connected tothe latter by IllOifllS of screw 17, so that the binding post 15 is tlectricall connected with the contact spindle 3. which normally contacts with the diaphragm (3. The screw 9 iselectrically connected with the binding post liby means of a conductor 18extending through anaperture in cup 10. Screws 19 secure the insulating strip 12 to thccap 10, and a conductor :20 connects one of thescrews 19 with the binding post 13. so that the binding post 13 is electrically connected with the body portion 2 and diaphragm (i. The body piece 2 is provided with anaperture 21 therethrough, lending! to the air space beneath the diaphragm (3. and into-thisaperture there is screwthreaded a screw 22 having a longitudinal.groove 23 and a beveled head. so that the leakage of air from beneath the diaphragm (i unav be regulated'by adjusting the position of this screw in the opening 21.

The cover 10 is provided with an opening at 24, through which a screw-driver or other implement may be inserted to adjust the screw 9 to any desired position. Secured to the top of the cap 10 is abracket 25, which may bescrewed to the 'ceiling of a room or any other position where it is desired to place the thermostat. The bracket 25 is so cured to the cap 10 by two screws 26, and, if it is desired to adjust the screw 9, the device may be removed from the ceiling and one of the screws 26 taken out, when bracket 25 may be swung about on the other screw 26, as shown in dotted lines at 28, whereupon the screw-driver may be inserted through the opening 21 to adjust the screw 9.

Situated on the insulating piece 12 is a spring device 29, secured thereto by screw 30. One of the lower ends of this device is formed into a loop of fusible metal, and, should the surrounding temperature rise to a predetermined point, this loop will fuse and the two sides of the device spring outwardly, so as to contactwith the binding posts 13 and 14 and form an electrical connection between the two.

30 represents an electric bell, or any other suitable alarm signal device, one terminal of which is connected to the binding post 14: by conductor 31. The other terminal is connected to a battery 32, or other source of electrical energy, by means of a conductor 33. The other terminal of the battery 32 is connected to the binding post 13 by conductor 34.

The binding post 15 is connected to one terminal of a relay, the windings of which are indicated at 35, by conductor 36, the other terminal of the windings being connected to the conductor 33 by means of a conductor 37 The coils of the relay 35 are adapted to operate an armature 38, having a contact 39, adapted to make contact with a contact 40 when the coils 35 are deencu gized. Contact 10 is connected to one of the binding posts of the bell 30 by a conductor 11, and the armature 38 is connected to the conductor 34: by conductor 42.

In operation, should a fire occur in the neighborhood of the thermostat, the air in chamber 1 will expand and cause a rush of air through the duct 1 into the space heneath the diaphramn 6, which will cause the diaphragm 6 to I36 raised and break the circuit through the coils 35 of the relay, this circuit being as follows :from battery 32, through conductor 33, conductor 37, windings 35, conductor 36, binding post 15, conductor 16, contact stem 3, diaphragm 6, body portion 2, screw 19, conductor 20, binding post 13, and conductor 34, back to the other side of the battery.

Upon the coils 35 becoming dei nergized, the armature 38 makes contact with the contact 40, thereby closing the circuit to cause the operation of the alarm device 30, the latter circuit being as follows :from one side of the battery 32, through comlurtor 32), through the alarm device 30, through conductor 41, contact 40, armature 38 and conductor 42, back to the other side of the battery. Since the duct 4 enters the space he neath the diaphragm 6 directly at the point where the diaphragm 6 contaits with the stem 3, any ::.i r forced through the duct more positively separates the diaphragm 6 from the stem 3, so that there is little or no danger of any expansion of air taking place without breaking the circuit as above described.

In order that very gradual rises of temperature may not cause such an ularni,*as a rise in temperature due to summer weather,-con1peiisating screw 22 is provided, so that a slight leakage of air is permitted from the space beneath the diaphragm 6, which leakage, however, is insuflicient to prevent the operation of the diaphragm in case a relatively rapid rise in temperature takes place, as would be due to a fire in the neighborhood. In many instances, it is found that this iompensating screw is unnecessary, however, because of theslight leakage which occurs about the various parts.

The rising of the diaphragm 6 in the main ner described not only causes the operation of the alarm signal by the breaking of the normally closed circuit through the relay, as above described. but the expansion of air also raises the diaphragm 6. so that it will make contact with screw 9, which closes a normally open circuit through the 002M111- tors 31 and 31 and alarm device, so that it is doubly assured that the alarm device will be operated. This normally open circuit is as follows:from one side of the battery through the conductor alarm device 30. conductor 31, binding post 11. ionductor 1S. screw 9, diaphragm 6, body portion 2, screw 19, conductor 20, binding post 1?), and conductor 34, to the other side of the battery. Thus, if there should be any failure of the relay to operate, the alarm signal will he operated in this independent manner.

Should the rise in temperature, for any reason, fail to operate the diaphragm. it will cause the connecting conductor 16 to be fused and thus break the circuit of the normally closed circuit, so that the relay will be operated as before and will cause the operation of the alarm signal in the manner above described.

As a further means of assuring the opera tion of the alarm signal, if the diaphragm 6 fails to operate, the fusible metal on the end of the device 29 will melt, thereby causing the same to spring apart and short-ciivuit binding posts 13 and 14, so as to c ose the circuit between the conductors 31 and 34 and thus close the normally open circuit, which neoeper will bring abouttheoperatimrof the alarm device in the manner above described.

The=rclay 35 is preferably'i'n'the form of an electrical drop, one form of "which is illustrated in Fig. 2, the'windi'ngs '35 being shown as magnet coils adapted to attract an armature-50 pivoted on *a pivot 5L and carryingwi contact point 52. Also rigidly secured to the =armature and pivot is awdisk 53, in front of which is a frame "piece 54, having apertures 55, through which the'd'isk 53 may be seen. V'hen thecoils 35 are energized, the armatu're 5'0 will'be attracted upwardly thereto, asshow'n in 'Fig. 2, aind the disk 53 will 'have'black portionsthereon e1)- pearin'g through the apertures 55. \V'hen the circuit'through the coils 85 is broken, the armature 50, by "its weight, 'willfd'rop about one-querter of a-Tevoluti'on, until the contact 52 makes contact with a contact member 56, whereupon white ojrtirins on the disk '53 will ap'par throng llhe openings 55.

Contact 56 conesponds with the Contact 40 in Fig. 1, and the miniature 5O corresponds with the arniaturefitl in'Fig. 1, contact 40bein'g insulated from theo'therpat-ts of thedevice, and-beinprovided with a binding post '57, by 'means of which the conductor'41 may besuitably'connected thereto. The device shown in--F;ig.2 is provided with two terminals 58 wnd'59, by ineansofwhich the" conductors 36 and 37 maybesuitably connected to the windings 35.

Thus, when the normally closed circuit through the coils 35 is broken by-the raising of the diaphragm G in the manner {lbOYP- described, the armature 50 will fall, causing the drop to show Whitefiwhieh will indicate the presence of a fire, or "else thatthe device is out of order, because, if the normally closed circuit should be broken-in 'any other Way, as by' accident, the dropshown in Fig. 2 williso indicate, so that the circuit may be repaired at once.

Tn case a number "of arrangeniehts as shown in Fig. 1 be used,'as in various rooms in a hotel or other building -each thermostat being put ina different location, then each closed eircuitw ill have its own drop, so that the operation of thedrop will indicate the particularrodin or place Where the fire or undue rise in' temperature hasoccurred.

In such on arrangement, the various thermostats may be made to cause the same alarm device to operate, or separate alarm devices may be providedfor each thermostat, as desired.

In Fig. 7, a I'nodification "of expansion chamber is shown. Instead of theexpansion chamber being in the form o f'a hollow shah low container 1, it is in the form of a long piece of tubingGO, which tithing may be extended about the room or formed into coils,

as desired, which coils may be located in different pl'ams, so that, no matter where the fire occurs, it will 'be certain to cause on expension of air which wiil operate the diaphm'gm '6.

'-In order to prevent 'persons from temper ing with the arrangement, a wire cage 61 may be placed about the i ll0l'l110Stfit,i\S illustrated in Fig. 1.

While the improvements have been above described ingreat'det'ail with respect to one embodiment of the invention, it is not desired to l'i'mit the invention to the details so described, as'many changes and modifications 'r'niry'weil be 'made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention in' its broader aspects.

What is claimed as new and desired'to be secured by Matters Potent is 1. A thermostat 'having an eeirpransion chamber, a diaphragin operated 'by expan sion of fluid insaid chamber, a contact ine m' ber morma'lly"making contact with said diaphragimsaid rontact 'rnember having a duct cornnmni'cating with the expansion chamber atbneehd'fth'd at theother end tcriniiiating at the point Where thelia]ihrngm makes contact with the Contact member, the diah'mgm "normt'rlly noting to substantially close the last mehtion'ed'end of said duct.

53. A thermostat provided with a body member, a diaphragm carried thereby, an expansionchamber, an electrical contart member ada p'ied iocnntact with the (liefilii ttgm and n'leans Connecting the contact member with the expansi'on chamber, wher hy the position of the 't'ontact member may be adj'uttedby movement of the expansion rha tnber.

-3. A "thermostat. provided with a body member, a diaphragm curried thereby, an expansion chamber, an electrical contact member adapted to Contact with the diaphragm and means connecting the contact member with the'expansion chamber, whereby the positioirof the Contact member may be adjusted by 'in'ovement -of"the'exparnsion chamber, said connecting means "being [irovi'ded with a passageway connecting the expension chitin-her with the space adjacent the diaphragm.

4. A thermostat provided with a body member, a diaphragm carli'ed thereby, an expansion Chamber, on electrical contact member adopted to"contabt with the diaphragm and means co1mebting"the contact member with the'expansion chamber, "Whereby the position of the eon-tact'membei may be adjusted by movement of the expansion chambensnid connecting means being provided with a passageway connecting the expansion chmnherw itli the space adjacent the diaphragm, said passa eway terminating at the end of the contact member Where it makes Contact with the diaphragm.

5. A thermostat having an expansion chamber, a diaphragm operated by expansion of fluid in said chamber, a contact member normally making contact with said diaphragm, said contact member being adjustable toward and from the diaphragm and carrying the expansion chamber, whereby the expansion chamber may be used to adjust the said contact mem'ber.

6. A thermostat provided with a body member, a diaphragm carried thereby and an expansion chamber in the form of a bulb, the bulb having a neck leading into the space in the body portion on one side of the diaphragm and into contact therewith.

7. A thermostat provided with a body piece, a diaphragm carried thereby, and an air expansion chamber member havin a part extending through the body mem' er but insulated therefrom, said part making electrical connection with the diaphragm and having a duct leadin from the air expansion chamber to the point where it makes electrical connection with the diaphragm.

8. A thermostat provided with a diaphragm, means forming a chamber at one side of said diaphragm, a contact member normally contacting with the diaphragm on the chamber side thereof, and an air expansion chamber connected with said firstmentioned chamber by a duct through said contact member.

9. A thermostat provided With a diaphragm, means forming a chamber at one side of said diaphragm, a contact member normally contacting with the diaphragm on the chamber side thereof, and an air expansion chamber connected with said first-mentioned chamber by a duct through said contact member and entering the first chamber where the contact member engages the diaphragm, said contact member and said diaphragm forming terminals of a normally closed circuit, whereby upon expansion of air in the expansion chamber the diaphragm is forced away from the contact member to open the normally closed circuit.

10. A'thermostat provided with a diaphragm, means forming a chamber at one side of said diaphragm, a contact member normally contacting with the diaphragm on the chamber side thereof, an air expansion chamber connected with said first-mentioned chamber by a duct through said contact member, and a contact member on the opposite side of the diaphragm.

11. A thermostat provided with a diaphragm means forming a chamber at one side of said diaphragm, a contact member normally contacting with the diaphragm on the chamber side thereof, an air expansion chamber connected with said first-mentioned chamber by a duct through said contact member and entering the first chamber where the contact member engages the diaphragm, said contact member and said diaphragm forming terminals of a normally closed circuit, whereby upon expansion of air in the expansion chamber the diaphragm is forced away from the contact member to open the normally closed circuit, and a contact member on the opposite side of the diaphragm forming a terminal of a normally open circuit, whereby upon said expansion of air in the expansion chamber said normally open circuit is closed.

12. A thermostat provided with a body member, a diaphragm carried thereby, an expansion chamber member having a part screwthrcaded through the body member into contact with the diaphragm, means carrying a contact member on the other side of the diaphragm, a cap covering said lastmentioned means, and means securing the device in position.

13. A thermostat provided with a body member, a diaphragm carried thereby, and an expansion chamber member having a part screwthreaded through the body member into contact with the diaphragm.

ll. A thermostat provided with a body member, a diaphragm carried thereby, an expansion chamber member having a part screwthreaded through the body member into contact with the diaphragm, means carrying a contact member on the other side of the diaphragm, and a cap covering said last-mentioned means, said cap having an aperture therein to permit of access to said last-mentioned contact member for adjustment thereof.

15. A. thermostat rovided with a. body member, a diaphragm carried thereby, a contact member extending through the body member into contact with the diaphragm, a contact member carried on the other side of the diaphragm, an air expansion chamber connected by a duct with the space on the side of the diaphragm on which the first contact member is located, said duct leading into said space adjacent the point where the first contact member contacts with the diaphragm, three electric terminals carried by the body member, one of which is electrically connected to the diaphragm through the body member, means electrically connecting another to the first-mentioned contact member, and means electrically connecting the third to the other contact mem ber.

16. A thermostat provided with a. body member, a diaphragm carried thereby and an air expansion charmber operatively associated therewith, a contact device also operatively associated with the diaphragm, a cover for the latter, and means for securing the latter to any desired place, said cover having an aperture to permit of adjustment of the contact device, and said aperture being normally covered by said securing means.

17. A thermostat provided with a body piece, a diaphragm carried thereby, an expansion chamber adjustable .with respect to said body piece, a contact member extending through the body piece into contact with the diaphragm and adjustab-ly carried with said expansion chamber.

18. A thermostat provided With a diaphragm, an electric contact member cooperating therewith, and a fluid expansion chant ber carried by said contact member and communicating with the space on one side of the diaphragm by a duct through said eontact member.

Signed at New York in the county of New York and State of New York this 30th day of October A. D. 1917.

CHARLES W. HACK.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents, Washington, D. C. 

